Description
This Healthy Chocolate Banana Bread is a rich, moist, and naturally sweetened treat made with ripe bananas, cocoa powder, and chocolate chips. It’s easy to make, beginner-friendly, and perfect for a healthy snack or dessert.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 1 cup white whole wheat flour
- ½ cup light brown sugar or coconut sugar
- ¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup chocolate chips (plus more for topping)
Wet Ingredients
- 2 large eggs
- 3 ripe bananas, mashed (about 1¼ cups)
- ½ cup unsweetened almond milk
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- ¼ cup melted coconut oil
Instructions
- Preheat the oven and prepare the pan: Set the oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a standard loaf pan with nonstick spray or line it with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- Mix the dry ingredients: In a medium bowl, combine the flour, cocoa powder, brown sugar, baking soda, salt, and chocolate chips. Stir until evenly mixed.
- Mash the bananas and combine wet ingredients: In a large bowl, mash the ripe bananas until smooth. Stir in the eggs, almond milk, and vanilla extract until well combined.
- Incorporate the dry mixture: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, stirring gently. Avoid overmixing to keep the bread soft and fluffy.
- Add the melted coconut oil: Pour in the melted coconut oil and stir just until incorporated. This step helps ensure an even texture without clumping.
- Pour and bake: Transfer the batter into the prepared loaf pan and sprinkle extra chocolate chips on top. Bake for 45-50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with only a few moist crumbs.
- Cool and serve: Let the banana bread rest in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely. Slice and enjoy warm or at room temperature.
Notes
- For a darker chocolate flavor, use dark cocoa powder and dark chocolate chips.
- If the batter is too thick, add a splash of almond milk.
- To make it nut-free, use dairy milk instead of almond milk.
- For a gluten-free version, substitute whole wheat flour with a gluten-free all-purpose blend.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container or freeze individual slices for a quick snack.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Dessert / Snack
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 327
- Sugar: 28g
- Sodium: 140mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 49g
- Fiber: 7g
- Protein: 7g
- Cholesterol: 35mg